Cinnamyl benzoate (CAS 5320-75-2) — Balsamic Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cinnamyl benzoate
CAS 5320-75-2
What Is Cinnamyl benzoate?
Cinnamyl benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds warm, balsamic notes to perfumes and scented products. You’ll find it in oriental fragrances, soaps, and candles. This molecule matters because it provides long-lasting sweetness without being overpowering, acting as a bridge between top notes and deeper base accords.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Cinnamyl benzoate Smell Like?
Cinnamyl benzoate unfolds like liquid amber – opening with a soft cinnamon warmth that quickly melds into honeyed benzoin resin. The dry-down reveals a velvety vanilla-tinged sweetness that lingers close to the skin. Imagine the scent of sun-warmed antique wood furniture polished with beeswax, or the faint aromatic trail left by aged liqueur barrels.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a balsamic modifier to enhance the vanilla-oriental base, adding warmth and diffusion without overpowering the delicate citrus top notes.
Provides a smooth transition between the spicy carnation heart and benzoin base, creating the signature ‘amber glow’ effect.
Works synergistically with patchouli to create the fragrance’s namesake cinnamon-spiced resinous character.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O=C(OCC=CC1=CC=CC=C1)C1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cinnamyl benzoate is an ester formed from cinnamyl alcohol and benzoic acid. While theoretically occurring in nature, commercial production is exclusively synthetic via esterification reactions. The molecule’s planar structure allows excellent blending properties with both polar and non-polar fragrance materials. Its moderate molecular weight contributes to good substantivity on skin.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~300 °C (estimated) |
| Density | ~1.05 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Base note fixative |
| Soap | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Stable in alkaline systems |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create seamless floral-amber transitions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Lighter alternative with similar fixative properties but less balsamic character.
More intense cinnamon-spice profile for stronger oriental compositions.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions (as of Amendment 49).
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, cinnamyl benzoate production avoids harvesting of natural resources. Modern manufacturing processes minimize solvent waste through efficient esterification methods. The material’s longevity in fragrance reduces reapplication needs in finished products.
Explore Cinnamyl benzoate
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 5320-75-2Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 238.28 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 351 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 176.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.888💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C1=CC=C(C=C1)C=CCOC(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 11.4 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | balsamicspicysweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “Mild-spicy, tenacious and balsamic odor. Freshly prepared and pure grade materials are odorless to many people, faintly "musk" to others.”📖 Arctander | |
| Cinnamyl benzoate has a characteristic balsamic, aromatic, spicy odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Used in flavor compositions for imitation Butter, Caramel, Raspberry and in a multitude of Fruit flavors.”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID1052169
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 238.286 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.12 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 363.05 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 51.845 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 180.247 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.607 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 212.693 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.961 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.961 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.961 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.21 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 9.396 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 42.827 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 26.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 73.487 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 29.132 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
